Class of 2014 Gridiron Legend: James Street

The late James Street led the University of Texas to a perfect 11-0 season and football national championship in 1969. Street arrived at Texas as a seventh-string quarterback from Longview, Texas, and finished his college career with an unblemished 20-0 record.

Street was also a baseball standout, posting a 29-8 record pitching for Texas that included a perfect game against Texas Tech in 1970 and no-hitter against SMU in 1969. Street pioneered Texas Coach Darrell Royal and assistant Emory Bellard’s wishbone offense, which became the premiere offensive scheme in college football in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of Street’s best performances occurred on the biggest stage, including the ‘Game of the Century,’ a 15-14 come from behind victory against Arkansas in the 1969 season finale, and a 21-17 victory over Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl played on New Year’s Day.

Street later went on to enjoy a successful career in finance and structured settlements, founding a firm in Austin that focused on working with plaintiffs in legal disputes. He received numerous awards in his profession and as a philanthropist in Austin, and in 2010 he was named a Distinguished American by the Greater Austin Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Street was also a member of the Longhorn Hall of Honor and Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Street is survived by his wife Janie and five sons, including current Major League pitcher and 2002 Longhorn College World Series Champion, Huston.